Recently, the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) in Dubai updated the rental index, allowing landlords to increase rents upon lease renewal to align with market values. This move has led to an increasing number of landlords raising rents upon lease renewal.

However, some industry executives point out that many tenants in Dubai will not need to start paying higher rents until later this year or early next year. This is because RERA stipulates that landlords can only increase rents upon lease renewal.

In the latest rental index update, RERA expects rents to rise by 20%. This will impact tenants who have been renting for over two years.

According to an industry executive, "We have been observing a trend of rising rental prices in Dubai's property market for some time now. However, the guidelines set by RERA strictly limit the extent to which landlords can increase rents upon lease renewal, resulting in a significant gap between market prices and the rents long-term tenants are paying."

"The latest rental guidelines from RERA allow more landlords to increase rents, with many able to do so significantly. This will lead to many tenants facing the reality of higher rents upon lease renewal and narrowing the gap between the rents tenants are paying and market prices."

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"RERA's latest guidelines stipulate that landlords can only increase rents upon lease renewal, meaning many tenants who renewed their leases after the rental index was announced are already facing the reality of higher rents. However, most tenants may not start paying higher rents until later this year or early 2025."

In the UAE, many tenants started looking for new rental properties earlier this year, so many lease agreements will be up for renewal later this year or early next year. Therefore, based on the new RERA rental index, higher rents will take effect later this year or early next year.

This change may pose some challenges for tenants. Here are some suggestions:

Firstly, tenants should understand the details of their contracts to ensure they are clear on specific terms and conditions for lease renewal. Understand if landlords have the right to increase rents upon renewal and determine their rights and obligations.

Secondly, tenants should plan their budgets, considering the possibility of rent increases, and ensure they have enough financial preparation to afford higher rents.

Additionally, tenants can conduct market research to understand the current rental market trends and compare rents with similar properties. This can help determine if the proposed rent increase by the landlord is reasonable and decide whether negotiation with the landlord is necessary.

If the rent increase is too high or unreasonable, tenants can consider looking for other suitable properties or negotiating with the landlord. When seeking alternative options, tenants should plan ahead and understand the costs and procedures involved in relocation.